A study conducted by experts from England, Germany and many other countries shows that the Arctic sea ice in summer is very likely to disappear by 2050 regardless of whether the carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, according to the scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters.

The sea ice in summer has decreased by 40% in area and 70% in volume since 1979, based on an analysis of climate models results from 21 research institutes. 

Increased melting of the Arctic sea ice to the extent where it is less than one million square kilometres in area could mean an ice-free Arctic, which could endanger the ice-dependent species.

Photo source: Phys.org

“If we reduce global emissions rapidly and substantially, and thus keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels, Arctic sea ice will nevertheless likely disappear occasionally in summer even before 2050,” said Dirk Notz, a lead author of the study.

Another result of the study says if the global high emissions of carbon dioxide maintain, Arctic will even see an iceless winter in the future. 

Source: Sin Chew Daily, The Hill

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